The minibus driver that assaulted a traffic police on Saturday 26th November 2022 was on Tuesday slapped with 13 charges. Thirty year old Okemi Omali Harry of Middle Street, Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool.
The driver was charged with failure to wear a seat belt,failure to carry a conductor ,prohibition of tinted glass ,failure to behave in a civil and orderly manner,assaulting of peace officer (Constable Dorris)assaulting peace officer (Constable Dorris),damage to property,resisting arrest , indecent language, disorderly behavior ,careless driving,failure to wear seat belt,failing to comply with police direction.
The police prosecutor had objected to bail. However, bail was granted in the sum of $150,000 on all the charges. The matter was adjourned to December 19, 2022, for statements.
According to the court, on Saturday 26th of November around 17:00hrs, Lance Corporal Singh and Woman Constable Doris were conducting Traffic duties on the Montrose Public Road when they stopped minibus BAC 2287 driven by Okemi Omali Harry, for speeding.
The driver was told of the offense committed and asked to produce his driver’s license. While Lance Corporal Singh was writing the driver a ticket, the driver attempted to take away his license from Lance Corporal Singh, who refused. The driver then assaulted the police officers.
The court noted that two days prior to Saturday’s incident, Okemi Harry was stopped for not wearing a seatbelt, but he drove off, thus the second ‘Failure to wear seatbelt charge’.
